If you are new to the world of TTC (Trying to Conceive), you may feel like you have stumbled upon an entirely new world, complete with its own language. This handy little guide should help familiarize you with the commonly used abbreviations.(Click the image to see a larger view.)

One million Italians are openly gay or bisexual, or one in 60, according to a recent survey. But, the country’s laws do not reflect this reality. In fact, Italy is the largest European country that hasn’t yet legalized any form of same-sex life partnership. That may change this year.

This week, the Italian parliament considered a bill that could become the country’s first law on civil unions, providing health benefits, inheritance rights, and all the other rights usually reserved for heterosexual couples. It’s not marriage, but it’s a start.

Pregnant woman are cautioned not to travel to a country where cases of Zika have been reported. And, since the list of those countries is growing daily, it’s recommended to check frequently for the most up-to-date recommendations: Zika Travel Notices

Most surrogacy contracts prohibit international travel once pregnant. However, the interesting question arises: If a woman who is not pregnant is bitten by a mosquito and infected with Zika virus, will her future pregnancies be at risk? The CDC says: “Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for only a few days to a week. The virus will not cause infections in an infant that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood. There is currently no evidence that Zika virus infection poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. A women contemplating pregnancy, who has recently recovered from Zika virus infection, should consult her healthcare provider after recovering.”

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi expects same-sex unions to be legalized in May. While it’s not marriage, it’s certainly a huge step for the Vatican-influenced country. The country seems ready for the change. In a controversial move, Rome’s mayor will perform a mass civil union ceremony for both straight and gay couples this May.

Major talks are also underway in both Houses of Parliament regarding legalizing same-sex adoption as long as one of the partners in a gay couple is the child’s biological parent. Hopefully, this eventually leads the way for our Italian surrogacy clients to freely and openly return home with both names on the birth certificate.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that children born to surrogate mothers abroad must be recognized as French citizens even though surrogacy is banned in France.

Two French couples who have children born to surrogates in the US over 10 years ago fought long and hard through the French legal system to get their children recognized as French citizens. Finally, their dreams came true when the Court ruled that denying such citizenship was “an infringement of the children’s right to respect for their private life” and “undermined the children’s identity within French society.”

Congratulations to the Menesson and Labassee families, as well as attorney Patrice Spinosi!